The Cavemen wanted to get that first win of 2015 in last Friday’s Homecoming game against Goddard, but they didn’t come out on top.

It’s the second straight week Carlsbad finished a game with a margin for error of only a couple points on the scoreboard and players were frustrated exiting the fieldhouse at Ralph Bowyer Stadium that they couldn’t get over the hump.

“We just wanted a ‘W’ so we can go into district showing that we’re here,” junior wide receiver Waylon Mendoza said. “We’re going focus on correcting stuff [in practice]. We’re not going to take a day off.”

A nagging cycle

Carlsbad (0-7) again dealt with costly turnovers last Friday. The Cavemen offense managed to generate more offense for the duration of the game kept the margin for error close, but a late turnover halted the comeback attempt.

It’s the second straight week where Carlsbad was on the brink of possibly pulling off a come-from-behind win, only to watch it slip away.

Carlsbad lost by two points against Goddard, which only made the loss harder to swallow.

“It was very tough. We were trying to win the game. Some things were going our way, some things weren’t going our way,” senior running back Cassius Rivers said.

Mendoza said he wants to put an end to those situations for good, now that District 4-6A competition starts next Friday at Alamogordo.

“We’re ready just to win games so we can go into state,” Mendoza said.

Mathematically, it’s not over

Carlsbad can still technically clinch a playoff berth by winning all three of its district games, therefore winning this year’s district regular season title.

On paper, Carlsbad is facing an uphill battle. Two of its district games will be on the road in Alamogordo and Clovis. Both teams have won a combined 10 games entering district, whereas Carlsbad has yet to win a game in 2015.

The odds of winning district aren’t impossible, though.

Déjà vu?

Last year, Carlsbad started district play at Hobbs. The Cavemen, 0-7 in non-district play in 2014, won that game and eventually won two of its three district games – finishing the season at 2-8.

This year, Carlsbad enters district play at 0-7, opening on the road at Alamogordo.

Artesia back in win column

The Bulldogs defeated Alamogordo 34-30 to wrap up non-district play.

Sophomore quarterback Taylor Null started for the second straight week in place of senior Justin Houghtaling, who is recovering from a torn calf muscle.

Artesia (6-1) is also on a bye week and will start District 4-5A competition at Roswell at 7 p.m. next Friday.

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.